About this journal

Critical Insights in Microbiology (TMIC) is a selective, Open Access, interdisciplinary journal that publishes quality, forward-thinking, impactful scientific research on microbiology.

Lead by a team of international academic experts, Critical Insights in Microbiology aims to highlight collaborative, interdisciplinary research with a future focus that will articulate where the field is heading. The journal reports original research and methods articles with a focus on completed projects as well as insights (“mini reviews”), and commentaries; all of which address the biology of microorganisms (Archaea, Bacteria, yeast & mould Fungi).

The journal is divided into 5 key sections and welcomes submissions in:

1. Systematics, Taxonomy & Evolution of Microorganisms

Phylogenomics & Evolution of Microorganism, Systematics & Taxonomy of Bacteria & Archaea, Systematics & Taxonomy of Fungi & Protista

2. Structure & Function of Microorganisms

Microbial Molecular Genetics & Genomics, Microbial Biochemistry, Physiology & Metabolism

3. Environmental Microbiology & Microbial Ecology

Microbiomes & Biogeochemistry, Microbial Symbioses, Molecular Microbial Ecology, Geomicrobiology

4. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology

Food Microbiology, Microbial Biotechnology, Microbial Engineering & Synthetic Microbiology

5. Infection Microbiology & Pathogens

Microbiology of Infection and Molecular Pathogenesis, Microbiota, Microbiomes & Pathogens, Antimicrobials, Resistance & Chemotherapy

While traditional pure culture microbiology has laid the groundwork for understanding microbial physiology and disease causation, it offers only a partial view of microbial life. In reality, microorganisms exist in complex, dynamic communities—interacting with one another, with their environments, and with host organisms in ways that transcend isolated study. These interactions shape ecosystems, influence health and disease, and drive global cycles of matter and energy.

Today, the field of microbiology stands at a transformative frontier. Advances in genomics, ecology, and biotechnology are deepening our understanding of microbial diversity, their roles in biogeochemical processes, and their intricate relationships with both 'macroorganisms' and viruses. In the face of global challenges—from climate change to emerging pathogens—microbiological research is vital to protecting biodiversity, developing sustainable technologies, and improving public health. Critical Insights in Microbiology exists to support and showcase research that not only explores these frontiers but also defines the future of microbial science.

What are the Critical Insights Journals

From the latest research to championing new thinking and new approaches. The Critical Insights journals select you the research you need to know that shapes the future of your field.
Advancing research through quality, trust, impact, and partnership.

2. Why choose a Critical Insights journal?

We're dedicated to ensuring your research receives the attention it deserves. Our Commitment to you is:

• Quick Decisions – your manuscript will be assessed within 7 days. If it will not be sent to review, we will tell you as soon as possible so you can transfer or submit elsewhere without delays.
• Quality Reviews – we are the gatekeepers of true and trusted content. Our Editors will inform you why we made our decision (rather than just saying no) and provide advice on how to improve your manuscript.
• Experts – like you, the journal is part of the community. Our Editors and Referees know the field and community and put that at the centre of everything we do and the decisions we make.
• Best Paper Forward – our staff, rather than a machine, will copyedit your paper, so the published work is as clear and accessible as possible. Figures (and images) will be in a format that can easily re-used and shared.
• Research in Context – we will work with you to create a summary of your work telling everyone (including your funder, supervisors, and colleagues) what you have done and what it means for your community. We call it a Critical Insights Summary.

From start to finish our aim is to provide guidance and publish as quickly as possible. Once your research is out there, we will enhance its readability, impact, and visibility so you can drive your community forward and enhance your career.

3. Article Types

• Research Articles – no limits on length or figures. Your article should be able to say what it needs so that the community understand your work and your findings. Open Research is key so methods should be complete, and data should be available (upon request) so the community can replicate and build on the research.
• Insights – review articles that help researchers (new or established) ‘ get up to speed’ in a particular area. Articles should be no more than 6,000 words long and review the last 5 years of work in a field and, most importantly, outline a future direction! Whilst these articles are commissioned only if you have an idea please contact the editor before submitting.
• Commentaries - a personal view from a leader in the field that outlines the challenges the community faces and potential directions for research that overcome these challenges.
• Methods – not all great work needs to have positive results or a conclusion. Sometimes the best work is around developing or optimizing a process, technique or protocol. These articles present, in detail, the new approach, improvement over previous methods, and the long-term impact this may have on the field.

4. The Critical Insights Vision

• Quality – highly respected Editors, Boards and Referees who are committed to shaping their community and driving the field of research forward.
• Trust – the work you see has been reviewed by our Editors so; as a Referee you know that you are being asked to look at something good! And, as a Reader you know that our editors and referees are in the field and the published research is relevant, interesting, and can be trusted.
• Impact – through Critical Insights Summaries you can quickly understand how a paper builds on, and advances, your field of research.
• Partnership – We listen, our editors who are active members of the community, and want your feedback. Our aim is to make this the journal series you want, and need, it to be!

Editor in Chief

Martin G. Klotz – Washington State University, WA, USA

Senior Editors

David Berry – University of Vienna, Austria

Ludmila Chistoserdova – University of Washington, USA 

Michael Y. Galperin – NLM, National Institutes of Health, USA 

Marina G. Kalyuzhnaya – San Diego State University, USA

Robbert Kleerebezem – Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

Emma T. Steenkamp – University of Pretoria, South Africa 

Editorial Board

Ivan A. Berg -  Universität Münster, Germany

Martin P.A. Coetzee - University of Pretoria, South Africa

Ping Han -  East China Normal University, China

Awdhesh Kalia -  The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

Hanna Koch -  Austrian Institute of Technology, Austria 

Chrizelle Krynauw (née Beukes) - The James Hutton Institute, Scotland 

Alla Lapidus, St. Petersburg University, Russian Federation 

Norma Cecilia Martinez-Gomez - University of California-Berkeley, USA 

Alexandre Poulain - University of Ottawa, Canada 

Sergey Stolyar - The University of Washington, USA

Carl-Eric Wegner - Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Germany